Physics Experiment - Torque with Solutions

TORQUE


INTRODUCTION

When a force acts on a body, the torque that the force causes is mathematically defined by the
equation
τ⃑ = 𝑟⃑ 𝑥 𝐹⃑

where 𝑟⃑ is the position vector of the point at which the force acts. Usually the convention is
positive for counter clockwise and negative for clockwise.


The first condition for static equilibrium requires that the net force of the system must be zero.

∑ 𝐹⃑ = 0


The second condition for static equilibrium requires that the net torque of the system must be
zero.

∑ τ⃑ = 0


OBJECTIVE

To calculate the torque produced by different applied forces and to test the First and Second
Conditions of Equilibrium.

PROCEDURE
1. Access the package thru https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/balancing-act
2. Click Balance Lab tab and choose the assigned mass of person for yourgroup

GROUP NUMBER MASS of Person (kg)
1 30
2 60
3 80
4 30
5 60
6 80

, 3. Click on your assigned person and place it on the designated position on the left and
choose 2 objects to balance it on the right. Record your data.

4. What are the masses of the mystery boxes?



EXPERIMENT 8

TORQUE


DATA


Table 1

Position of Torque Mass 1 Position 1 Torque Mass 2 position 2 Torque
Person (m) (left) (kg) (m) (Mass 1) (kg) (m) (Mass 2)
0.25 147 Nm 10kg 0.75m (D) 73.5 Nm 7.5kg 1m (H) 73.5 Nm
0.50 294 Nm 5kg 0.75m (B) 36.75 15kg 1.75m (C) 257.25
Nm Nm
0.75 441 Nm 5kg 1m (B) 49 Nm 20kg 2m (A) 392 Nm
1.0 588 Nm 50kg 1m (F) 490 Nm 5kg 2m (B) 98 Nm
1.25 735 Nm 20kg 1.25m (A) 245 Nm 25kg 2m (G) 490 Nm
1.50 882 Nm 50kg 1m (F) 490 Nm 20kg 2m (A) 392 Nm
1.75 1029 Nm 50kg 1.5m (F) 735 Nm 15kg 2m (C) 294 Nm
2.0 1176 Nm 20kg 1m (A) 196 Nm 50kg 2m (F) 980 Nm



Table 2

Mystery box Mass (kg)
A 20kg
B 5kg
C 15kg
D 10kg
E 3kg
F 50kg
G 25kg